2017 Dr Loosen Erdener Pralat Reserve Riesling Grosses Gewachs

Dr Loosen is one of the most respected names in the Mosel, and has been in the same family for over 200 years. Current custodian Ernst Loosen works with some of the finest vineyards in the area, and since 2011 he has pushed the boundaries further in an attempt to better express three unique terroirs. Working with Wehlener Sonnenuhr (blue slate), Urziger Würzgarten (red volcanic soil), and Erdener Pralat (red slate), the Grosses Gewachs Reserve wines hail from the finest parcels of ungrafted vines in each vineyard. Fermentation occurs naturally as with the regular GG wines, however the wines are held on full lees for 24 months, before an additional 24 months in bottle. This additional maturation approach lends greater balance and a deeper degree of vineyard expression to these wines.

Erdener Prälat is perhaps the greatest vineyard in the Mosel region. It benefits from its 45° slope with perfect southern exposure, red slate soil and proximity to the river. All these factors, combined with its position below huge, heat-retaining cliffs, explain why Dr. Loosen never harvests anything less than Auslese ripeness from this site.

Other Reviews....
The 2017 Erdener Prälat Réserve Alte Reben is pure, fine and flinty on the beautifully aromatic nose that reveals tropical fruit aromas intertwined with delicate slate tones and remains utterly refined. Lush and elegant on the palate, this is a fruity, saline and sustainable, very intense and stimulating Prälat with gorgeous hedonistic features. The wine is enormously aromatic and fruity, with mango and peach aromas and everything that's yellow and lush, but it also has this superb finesse of the red slate in the Prälat and reflects its sunny exposition adjacent to the riverside. 3,743 bottles filled. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022. Release date: March 1, 2023. Drink 2024 - 2050.
97 points
Stephan Reinhardt - Wine Advocate (Aug 26, 2022)

The nose of the 2017 Riesling Erdener Prälat Grosses Gewächs Alte Reben Réserve takes some swirling but the Erdener Prälat comes alive with gentle hints of spiced orange: think subtle clove and Navel peel joined by notions of dried lemon rind. The texture is serene, smooth, utterly compact and filled with flavors of wax, lemon and slightly bitter, dried lemon zest that seems to be dissolved in subtle oiliness. A wonderful sensation on the palate, utterly bright, deeply salty and effortlessly elegant. Wow. (Dry). Drink 2023-2050.
95 points
Anne Krebiehl MW - Vinous

Enormously dense nose of mango and papaya. Gigantic concentration and power for a German dry riesling this inhabits its own habitat on Planet Mosel. Brain-rattling intensity and energy at the moment, so we recommend decanting and using large glasses. Better still, give this a few more years in the bottle. Either way this should silence any doubters about this category. Drink or hold.
99 points
Stuart Pigott - jamessuckling.com